The drawing on the right is taken from the cover of a history of St John's and
guide to the present church published in 1991 by Christopher Harrison. This
book provides an excellent account of the Christian presence in Keele for
almost 900 years with the essence of the church's contribution to the life of
the parish and neighbouring areas captured with great perception.
The present church was built over a relatively short period from 1868 to 1870
with the consequence that there is a great uniformity of style. The style is
decorated Gothic, typical of the 14th century, executed with a dignified
restraint which fully justifies its Grade II* listing. The present church is
believed to have been preceded by one built by the Knights Templar in the 12th
century. Nothing of this church remains nor of the Georgian Church which was
the result of a rebuilding incorporating the medieval tower completed in 1790.
This church as it was in c1830 is shown in the photograph on this page taken
from "Keele - an Introduction to the Parish and the University" by the late
Michael Paffard.
The Georgian church - apparently deteriorating rapidly - was demolished and
replaced by the present building. A debt of gratitude persists to this day for
the generosity of Ralph Sneyd and the quality of the design of his local
architect Thomas Lewis. Christopher Harrison's account is particularly
interesting in its discussion of the contribution of the various incumbents and
particularly the Reverend Henry Sutcliffe who served for nearly 50 years and is
commemorated by the fine screen made by the village blacksmith, Mr Cheadle.
This screen with its open iron work can hardly be said to cut off nave from
chancel (pace Dr Harrison!).
The Reverend Thomas Brookes who was vicar from 1954 to 1971 left a fascinating
memorial in his "A Country Parson's Diary" - something of which can be seen in
the quotations by Christopher Harrison.
Parish records for Keele, St John the Baptist
Historic records of St John the Baptist, Keele have been deposited at
Staffordshire Record Office, where they are available for consultation by the
public. These include the parish registers of baptisms 1540-1980, marriages
1540-1990 and burials 1540-1983; parish officers’ accounts 1690-1841; vestry
order books 1823-1944; PCC minutes 1906-1992; and more. Microfiche copies of
the parish registers only are also available at Stoke on Trent City Archives
and Lichfield Record Office.
A catalogue of these records is available in "Gateway to the Past"
(http://www.archives.staffordshire.gov.uk)
- the online catalogue of the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive
Service. The Archive Service's website
(http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/archives)
provides further information on planning a visit to our offices to consult
records, should you wish to do so.
